Chris Impey | Education | Best Researcher Award

Prof. Chris Impey | Education | Best Researcher Award

Pro.Chris Impey Education at University of Arizona, United States

Chris Impey is a distinguished astronomer and educator, holding dual citizenship in the United States and the United Kingdom. He earned a B.Sc. in Physics with First Class Honors from the University of London and a Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Edinburgh, where his research focused on polarization studies of BL Lac objects. His academic career includes appointments at prestigious institutions such as CERN, the University of Hawaii, Caltech, and the University of Arizona, where he has served as a professor and held numerous leadership roles including Deputy Department Head and Associate Dean of the College of Science. Impey is a University Distinguished Professor and has received numerous accolades for his teaching and science communication, including the NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholar Award and the American Astronomical Society Education Prize. He is an accomplished author, a dedicated science communicator, and an active participant in various scientific organizations and advisory boards. His entrepreneurial ventures include founding companies and nonprofits that bridge science, technology, and public engagement.

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Suitability for the Research for Best Researcher Award: Chris Impey

Chris Impey is an internationally renowned astronomer whose research has significantly advanced our understanding of cosmology, extragalactic astronomy, and the structure of the universe. With a Ph.D. from the University of Edinburgh and a prolific academic career spanning over four decades, Dr. Impey has held distinguished positions at premier institutions including the University of Arizona and Princeton University. His work is widely cited and respected, reflecting both depth and breadth across multiple astronomical domains.

๐ŸŽ“ Education

  • B.Sc. in Physics โ€“ University of London, 1977 (First Class Honors) ๐Ÿง ๐Ÿ“˜

  • Ph.D. in Astronomy โ€“ University of Edinburgh, 1981 ๐Ÿช๐Ÿ”ญ

    • Thesis: Polarization Studies of BL Lac Objects

    • Advisors: R.D. Wolstencroft & P.W.J.L. Brand

  • Languages: Spanish ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ (strong), Italian ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น & French ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท (fair)

๐Ÿ’ผ Work Experience / Appointments

  • ๐Ÿงช Research Assistant โ€“ CERN, Geneva (1977)

  • ๐ŸŒŒ Research Assistant โ€“ Univ. of Edinburgh & Royal Observatory (1977โ€“1981)

  • ๐ŸŒด Research Associate โ€“ Univ. of Hawaii (1981โ€“1983)

  • ๐ŸŒ  Weingart Fellow โ€“ Caltech (1983โ€“1986)

  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿซ Assistant Professor โ€“ Univ. of Arizona (1986โ€“1991)

  • ๐Ÿ“š Associate Professor โ€“ Univ. of Arizona (1991โ€“1996)

  • ๐Ÿš€ Associate Director โ€“ NASA Space Grant, Univ. of Arizona (1991โ€“1995)

  • ๐Ÿ›ฐ๏ธ Visiting Professor โ€“ Univ. of Washington (1995โ€“1996)

  • ๐ŸŒŸ Professor โ€“ Univ. of Arizona (1996โ€“2000)

  • ๐Ÿงญ Deputy Dept. Head โ€“ Univ. of Arizona (1999โ€“2016, 2024โ€“2025)

  • ๐Ÿ… University Distinguished Professor โ€“ Since 2000

  • ๐ŸŽ“ Honors Professor โ€“ Univ. of Arizona (Since 2010)

  • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿซ Visiting Professor โ€“ Princeton University (2011โ€“2012)

  • ๐Ÿ”ฌ STEM Co-Director โ€“ Univ. of Arizona (2013โ€“2016)

  • ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Associate Dean โ€“ College of Science, Univ. of Arizona (2016โ€“2020)

  • ๐ŸŒ Visiting Scholar โ€“ Imperial College London (2019)

๐Ÿ† Awards & Honors

  • ๐Ÿฅ‡ NATO/SERC Fellowship (1981โ€“1983)

  • ๐Ÿฅ‡ Weingart Fellowship (1983โ€“1985)

  • ๐ŸŒ  Dudley Observatory Award (1990)

  • ๐ŸŒŒ Slipher Award โ€“ NAS (1998)

  • ๐ŸŽ“ NSF Distinguished Teaching Scholar (2002)

  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿซ Arizona Professor of the Year โ€“ Carnegie Foundation (2002)

  • ๐ŸŒŸ Vice President โ€“ American Astronomical Society (2003โ€“2006)

  • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿ”ฌ Phi Beta Kappa Visiting Scholar (2006โ€“2007)

  • ๐Ÿ›ธ Emmons Award โ€“ College Astronomy Teaching (2007)

  • ๐Ÿงฌ AAAS Fellow (2009)

  • ๐Ÿซ Stanley Kelley Visiting Professor โ€“ Princeton (2011โ€“2012)

  • ๐Ÿช AAO Distinguished Visitor (2014)

  • ๐Ÿ“š Eugene Emme Literature Award โ€“ AAS (2014)

  • ๐Ÿงช HHMI Professor (2014โ€“2019)

  • ๐ŸŽค Gresham College Lecturer, London (2016)

  • ๐ŸŒŸ Klumpke-Roberts Award โ€“ Public Astronomy Outreach (2016)

  • โญ AAS Legacy Fellow (2019)

  • ๐Ÿ“– AAS Education Prize (2021)

  • ๐Ÿž๏ธ Bellagio Center Residency โ€“ Rockefeller Foundation (2022)

  • ๐ŸŒ Fulbright Specialist โ€“ U.S. State Dept (2022โ€“2026)

  • ๐ŸŽฅ Science Communication Award โ€“ Olomouc Film Festival (2023)

  • โœ๏ธ 1st Prize, Astrobiology SciComm Writing Contest (2024)

  • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐Ÿš€ Visionary Scientists Award โ€“ Cosmologists Without Borders (2024)

  • ๐Ÿ… Finalist, Cosmos Prize โ€“ International Book Award (2025)

Publication Top Notes:

Detailed Structural Decomposition of GalaxyImages  Cited: 3368
The cosmic evolution survey (COSMOS): overview  Cited: 2547
Detailed decomposition of galaxy images. II. Beyond axisymmetric models  Cited: 2092
zCOSMOS: a large VLT/VIMOS redshift survey covering 0< z< 3 in the COSMOS field  Cited: 1306
The first release COSMOS optical and near-IR data and catalog  Cited: 1082

Conclusion:

Chris Impey exemplifies the qualities sought for the Best Researcher Award. His pioneering contributions to astrophysics, outstanding educational leadership, and exceptional commitment to public science literacy mark him as a global leader in his field. Recognizing Dr. Impey with this award would honor not only his distinguished career but also his transformative influence on both the scientific community and society at large.

 

Dr. Dirgha Joshi | Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dirgha Joshi | Education | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Dirgha Joshi | Education โ€“ Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Dr. Dirgha Raj Joshi is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of Mathematics Education, currently serving as a faculty member at Mahendra Ratna Campus, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. With over a decade of experience in teaching, research, and educational innovation, Dr. Joshi has emerged as a national leader in the integration of technology in mathematics instruction. His dedication to improving learning outcomes through the use of ICT, coupled with his extensive involvement in national-level educational projects, highlights his commitment to advancing education in Nepal. As a curriculum developer, thesis supervisor, and prolific author, he continues to influence both academic and policy domains in education.

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Education:

Dr. Joshi earned his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mathematics Education from Banaras Hindu University, India, in 2017, with his dissertation focused on the use of ICT in mathematics teaching. He completed his Master of Education (M.Ed.) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) in Mathematics from Tribhuvan University, Nepal. His academic training has been strongly rooted in both theoretical foundations and practical applications, which he now imparts to students and fellow educators through teaching and mentorship.

Experience:

Dr. Joshi has been a full-time faculty member at Mahendra Ratna Campus since 2018 and also serves as a visiting faculty at Nepal Open University. He has served in various research capacities including principal investigator, statistician, and educational performance auditor in numerous national and international projects. His responsibilities have included leading curriculum development, designing teacher training modules, and evaluating education systems. Additionally, he has contributed as an editor and reviewer for reputed academic journals, reflecting his deep engagement with scholarly communication and quality assurance in education.

Research Interests:

Dr. Joshiโ€™s primary research interests lie in the integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in mathematics education, digital assessment, e-learning, educational policy evaluation, and teacher competencies. He focuses particularly on quantitative and mixed-method approaches, including Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Item Response Theory (IRT), and machine learning applications in educational settings. His studies often emphasize equity, inclusion, and the effectiveness of educational technology, with a growing focus on how digital tools shape teaching and learning outcomes.

Award:

Dr. Joshi is an ideal candidate for the Best Researcher Award due to his exceptional contribution to the research community. His consistent involvement in impactful, policy-relevant, and technology-integrated research, along with his leadership in national-level educational reforms and teacher development initiatives, exemplifies research excellence. His projects have not only generated scholarly outputs but also directly influenced educational practices and strategies in Nepal. His dedication to evidence-based improvements in learning, especially for underserved communities, distinguishes his profile among contemporary educational researchers.

Selected Publications:

๐Ÿงฎ Effect of using digital resources on mathematics achievement: Results from PISA 2022, Cogent Education (2025) โ€“ Cited by 18 articles.

๐Ÿ“‰ Navigating the impact of the pandemic on teacher competencies, Social Sciences & Humanities Open (2025) โ€“ Cited by 12 articles.

๐Ÿงช Impact of policy provision on fairness in e-assessment practice, Journal of Educators Online (2025) โ€“ Cited by 10 articles.

๐Ÿง  Internal evaluation and student happiness for effective math teaching, Asian Journal for Mathematics Education (2025) โ€“ Cited by 7 articles.

๐Ÿ’ป Exploring the effects of online learning complications on mathematics achievement, International Journal of Instruction (2024) โ€“ Cited by 16 articles.

๐ŸŒ From clicks to credits: Online engagement and academic performance in China, International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education (2024) โ€“ Cited by 9 articles.

๐Ÿ“Š Teachersโ€™ humanistic role in teaching mathematics online during COVID-19, International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (2023) โ€“ Cited by 14 articles.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Dr. Dirgha Raj Joshi exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding researcher whose scholarly contributions have made a substantial impact on mathematics education and educational technology. His evidence-driven research, leadership in national projects, and commitment to inclusive and innovative education position him as a leading voice in educational reform. His work not only enhances academic literature but also informs practical interventions and policy decisions in Nepalโ€™s education system. These achievements strongly support his nomination for the Best Researcher Award.

 

 

 

Suman Pande | Education | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Suman Pande | Education | Best Researcher Award

Ms. Suman Pande | Education โ€“ PhD Student at Kathmandu University, Nepal

Suman Pande is an accomplished academic with a deep commitment to education, research, and the development of youth empowerment. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a passion for improving the educational landscape and addressing key developmental issues, particularly in the fields of adolescent and youth empowerment. Her academic journey, professional experience, and research contributions have positioned her as a respected figure in the educational and research community.

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Education:

Suman Pandeโ€™s educational qualifications reflect her dedication to academic excellence. She earned her MPhil in Development Studies from Kathmandu University, where she honed her research skills and gained in-depth knowledge of developmental theories and practices. Her academic background also includes a Masterโ€™s in Botany and a Bachelor of Education, with a focus on Biology, equipping her with a diverse and strong foundation for her work in both education and research. Pandeโ€™s commitment to advancing her expertise continues with her ongoing PhD studies at Kathmandu University, where she is exploring new dimensions of education and youth empowerment.

Experience:

With over two decades of experience in the educational sector, Suman Pande has held various prominent positions. She served as the Principal at Living Stone Academy, where she demonstrated exceptional leadership, managing both academic and administrative responsibilities. Her role involved overseeing day-to-day operations, budgeting, and fostering relationships with teachers, students, and parents. Prior to this, she worked as a lecturer and class in-charge at several prestigious institutions, including Prasadi Academy, Notre Dame Science College, and Bagmati Modern College. These experiences enabled her to not only teach but also engage in curriculum planning and student counseling, thus shaping her ability to manage both the academic and personal development of her students.

Research Interest:

Suman Pandeโ€™s primary research interest lies in the fields of youth empowerment, particularly focusing on the challenges and opportunities facing adolescent girls. Her research explores factors affecting their empowerment, with an emphasis on identifying the societal, educational, and economic barriers that hinder their development. By engaging with communities and educational institutions, Pande seeks to generate insights that could inform policies and programs aimed at enhancing the opportunities available to youth. Her research also reflects an interdisciplinary approach, merging insights from education, social development, and gender studies.

Awards:

Throughout her career, Suman Pandeโ€™s contributions to education and research have been recognized by her peers and colleagues. She has received accolades for her leadership in educational institutions and for her dedicated work in improving the lives of young people through her research. Her most recent achievement includes being nominated for the โ€œBest Researcher Award,โ€ recognizing her ongoing commitment to youth empowerment and educational research. While she has not yet won this specific award, her numerous accomplishments and contributions to her field make her a highly deserving candidate.

Publications:

Suman Pandeโ€™s research work has been featured in several respected journals, with a focus on youth empowerment and development. Some of her key publications include:

  1. โ€œFactors Affecting Adolescent and Youth Girlsโ€™ Empowerment: A Survey of Selected Areas of Rupandehi Districtโ€
    International Journal of Adolescence and Youth (2025) ๐Ÿ“…
    DOI: 10.1080/02673843.2025.2474038
    This paper examines the challenges faced by adolescent girls in Nepal, contributing to the academic discourse on gender empowerment.
  2. โ€œYouth Empowerment in Rural Nepal: A Case Study of Community-based Interventionsโ€
    Journal of Educational Development (2023) ๐Ÿ“…
    This study explores community-driven initiatives aimed at empowering rural youth, offering valuable insights into grassroots interventions.
  3. โ€œThe Role of Education in Empowering Adolescent Girls: A Longitudinal Studyโ€
    Asian Journal of Education and Social Studies (2022) ๐Ÿ“…
    This longitudinal study tracks the impact of education on the empowerment of adolescent girls in rural Nepal.

Conclusion:

Suman Pande stands as a dedicated scholar whose contributions to education and research have greatly impacted the development of youth, particularly in the context of Nepal. With an impressive academic background, extensive teaching and leadership experience, and a keen research interest in youth empowerment, Pande has established herself as a valuable asset in her field. Her research not only addresses critical issues facing adolescent girls but also provides practical insights that can guide policy and intervention strategies. As a nominee for the โ€œBest Researcher Award,โ€ Suman Pande exemplifies the qualities of dedication, expertise, and social responsibility that define a distinguished researcher. Her future work promises to continue shaping the future of youth empowerment and educational development in Nepal and beyond.